Nicole Dowling

Nicole Dowling has been named Johnson Bayou High School Teacher of the Year. Dowling is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Video. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she ventured into the field of education in 2020 and became an English Teacher. This will be her fourth year of teaching at JBHS. As a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she places great emphasis on the significance of art and self-expression in a student’s education. She constantly seeks creative ways to inspire her students to explore and flourish within the realms of Fine Arts and English. She firmly believes that every student possesses the power to accomplish remarkable things, both academically and personally. Just like the renowned masters of art, our journey of learning is never truly complete! Her goal is to establish a learning environment that mirrors this notion – a place where both students and myself can continue to evolve, acquire knowledge, and thrive.

Kayla Fulmer

Kayla Fulmer has been named Johnson Bayou Middle School Teacher of the Year. Fulmer is an eighth-year educator with a passion for fostering connections in the classroom. A proud graduate of Lamar University, she earned her degree in music education in 2015 and began teaching and directing aspiring musicians and at one time was responsible for managing over 250 students a day. After relocating to Louisiana with her husband, she is in her second year at JBHS, teaching middle school science and coaching multiple sports.

Reflecting on her journey, Fulmer often says that teaching found her – transforming her from someone who never envisioned a career in education into a dedicated mentor and leader. She is committed to being a dependable presence for everyone she encounters, believing that trust and reliability lay the foundation for success. She looks forward to continuing her journey in education and making a daily positive impact on the lives of those she has the privilege to encounter.

Erica Dearien

Erica Dearien has been named Johnson Bayou Elementary Teacher of the Year. Dearien has a long line of family ties to south Louisiana, where she has grown up. Her ancestors include Charles Sallier who founded the city of Lake Charles. She is a proud graduate of McNeese State University, where she received three degrees including one in education. She has always had a great love of learning, which has inspired her continual learning and teaching career. She is a teacher that prides herself on flexibility, caring and continuing to learn new and exciting ways to reach her students. She believes that all children are special and have a gift to offer our world, and she truly seeks to bring out this gift in her students. She wishes not only to teach her students academically but also to inspire them to become the best person and citizen for themselves and our world. Her greatest wish is that her students fall in love with learning like she did.